I went to a dermatologist who took a small biopsy from my nose. That office called me to report that it came back positive for skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, possibly in situ (on the surface), and immediately scheduled me for Moh's Surgery. I admit I was really anxious about having this surgery, it's effective, but still, pretty aggressive, especially on the face. I went to see Dr. Chatson, a plastic surgeon in Andover, to see if he would agree to close the wound made by the Moh’s surgery.
Dr. Chatson’s office scheduled a consultation, a meeting. Dr. Chatson was completely attentive to me while I met with him, not distracted in the least. He was thoughtful and caring. I was not treated as just a number; he told me later he tries to see his patients as if the patient were a family member, and thinks about what outcome he would recommend for his family member. Dr. Chatson recommended that another biopsy be done, larger, more aggressive than the first, but in no way Moh’s surgery. He thought with this he might be able to lift off all the cancer cells himself. If not, I would have to do the Moh’s… but he felt it was worth a try. I agreed.
He just called and told me that the edges of the biopsy have no cancer cells whatsoever. He was able to do what the Moh’s would do, but with a simple expert cut, that will heal, on its own, with no skin grafting or stitches.
I am completely grateful for his caring and analytical and rational thinking. Thank you Dr. Chatson for taking the time to see me and my situation in a personal way and doing whatever you could to help. My deepest appreciation.